Recognizing and Helping Students in Distress

The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences recognizes the importance of the University’s Notice and Respond policy and strongly encourages all faculty and staff members to look for and be aware of the signs of distress.

EMERGENCY: IMMEDIATE PHYSICAL DANGER (anytime)

If you believe that you and/or someone else is in any kind of immediate physical danger at any time, call Cornell campus police at 911 (campus phone) OR 607-255-1111 (cell phone, or off-campus phone).

Tell them everything you know about the student and the situation, including who else is present.

The police will coach you about next steps.

Once the situation has been addressed, proceed with step 2 below.

OR

1. URGENT: During normal business hours

Call Cornell Health at 607-255-5208 and ask to speak to a counselor. After hours, call Cornell Health at 607-255-5155.

If the student is present, tell the student you would like to help and need to get guidance from someone more knowledgeable. If you need to leave to make the phone call make sure someone else stays with the student.

Tell the counselor everything you know about the student and the situation.

They will coach you about what you should do next.

Once the situation has been addressed, proceed with step 2 below.

2. CONCERN (normal business hours)

Undergraduate issue: Call CALS Student Services, 607-255-2257.

Tell them everything you know about the student and the situation.

Tell them about assistance you have already received from other service providers, and what they advised.

They may ask for assistance from other college and/or Cornell resources.

Provide whatever assistance Student Services or the Graduate School request.

Note: Although you may walk the student to Cornell Health or to Student Services (140 Roberts Hall), under no circumstances should you drive the student anywhere if there is immediate danger, or if you are quite concerned.